When you think of people with addictions, you may think of women walking around talking about invisible bugs attacking them or that man standing on the corner with a sign admitting that he “needs a beer.” You think of families being destroyed and addicts craving their next fix. You think of that chubby guy hiding food under his bed or that broke girl buying a crystal unicorn for the sake of buying it. But, does anyone ever think that Karaoke could be addictive? I didn’t think so.

I myself have fallen into addictive Karaoke episodes. There was a time where things were going horribly at work and I went to my favorite Karaoke bar every night that week to sing off my frustrations. Right before my college-aged son would go to bed, I’d say I was going to the grocery store or to run an errand with the hopes that he’d fall asleep before I came home (and quietly snuck in). When I told my husband, who was stationed in California at the time, what I was doing, he was upset and told me I was addicted to Karaoke! I was livid! First of all, it sounds so brainless! Karaoke?! How does one get addicted to Karaoke? Puuleez!

So, there I sat…I thought…I researched…I discovered. According to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word addiction means:

A compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful.

Now, we all know that Karaoke is not a tangible object, such as heroin, nicotine and alcohol. But, that natural high that singing in front of an audience gives is very much addictive. Not all alcoholics start drinking with the intention of becoming alcoholics, but somewhere down the line, it drowned out some sorrows and was an easy form of self-medication.

Am I the only one who feels a sense of urgency to belt out my favorite Journey song when I feel happy or Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass when I get stressed? Am I the only one who runs to my favorite Karaoke spot in times of duress? Am I the only one up in the wee early hours of the morning promising that the next song will be my last for the night? Am I the only one who wakes up at daylight for work thinking, “Ugh! I sang too much last night. I’ll stay in next time,” then intentionally forget to follow through with my own promise?

Hi. My name is Irma and I have an addiction to Karaoke.

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Article by: Irma Ruiz

Irma Ruiz is a San Antonio, TX native who, aside from being an admitted karaoke-addict, is also a mother, wife, teacher, photographer and writer. If you are ever in the San Antonio area looking to do some karaoke, make sure you find her on Facebook for maps and up-to date San Antonio karaoke information

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